Landscaping Planning & Design in Calgary
Some key factors to consider when landscaping in Calgary are the plant hardiness zone, soil type, and amount of moisture:
Plant Hardiness Zone:
Calgary is located in zone 4a which means plants can survive temperatures down to -34.4 °C. Experience is very important when selecting plants for this region. I have found that some plant tags are incorrect at the hardware-type garden centers. For example, the tag states a plant is zone 5, when it is actually a zone 3 plant and will grow well here. Conversely, a plant listed as hardy in zone 4 may not over-winter successfully in Calgary. For more details about plant zones and plants hardy for a specific area, visit Canada's Plant Hardiness website at www.planthardiness.gc.ca.
Soil Type:
Prairie soil is of the Chernozemic type that has been formed by native prairie grass roots. This soil is rich in nutrients, however may lack nitrogen, phosphorus, and rarely sulfur, potassium, and micro-nutrients.
Chernozemic soil is prone to drought; and over the winter, poor snow cover and Chinook winds contribute to causing severe winter damage to some plants.
Moisture:
Data collected over the past 25 years shows that Calgary receives approximately 400 mm of rain per year. Given that gardens require about 25 mm of water per week, it is apparent that supplemental irrigation is required for your yard and garden.
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With respect to Landscape Design, the following principles are key:
Balance - the equality of visual impact. Think of symmetrical gardens (e.g. French gardens) vs. asymmetrical balance (e.g. English country gardens). Symmetrical gardens are more formal and geometric, while asymmetrical gardens are more casual and reflect a natural landscape.
Contrast - the degree of difference in design elements. Difference can be achieved by utilizing different lines (curved and straight), textures (fine and coarse), colors (opposite sides of the color wheel), and shapes (round and pyramidal).
Emphasis - creates focal points in the garden. This adds interest to the design by adding garden accessories, views, specimen tree or shrub, water feature, or lighting for example. They eye is drawn towards a focal point and encourages the visitor to travel through the garden to see each unique feature.
Harmony - a pleasing relationship between all elements of the design. The garden has a strong theme or similar design elements.
Movement - the viewer's eye moves naturally across the landscape. This is achieved by repetition, alternation, and graduation of elements in the landscape.
Unity - the separate parts of the design elements successfully contribute to the overall design. Individual components of the landscape support the harmonious whole without demanding individual attention.
Variety - provides interest from difference. Too little variety is monotonous while too much variety is chaotic.
Plant Hardiness Zone:
Calgary is located in zone 4a which means plants can survive temperatures down to -34.4 °C. Experience is very important when selecting plants for this region. I have found that some plant tags are incorrect at the hardware-type garden centers. For example, the tag states a plant is zone 5, when it is actually a zone 3 plant and will grow well here. Conversely, a plant listed as hardy in zone 4 may not over-winter successfully in Calgary. For more details about plant zones and plants hardy for a specific area, visit Canada's Plant Hardiness website at www.planthardiness.gc.ca.
Soil Type:
Prairie soil is of the Chernozemic type that has been formed by native prairie grass roots. This soil is rich in nutrients, however may lack nitrogen, phosphorus, and rarely sulfur, potassium, and micro-nutrients.
Chernozemic soil is prone to drought; and over the winter, poor snow cover and Chinook winds contribute to causing severe winter damage to some plants.
Moisture:
Data collected over the past 25 years shows that Calgary receives approximately 400 mm of rain per year. Given that gardens require about 25 mm of water per week, it is apparent that supplemental irrigation is required for your yard and garden.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
With respect to Landscape Design, the following principles are key:
Balance - the equality of visual impact. Think of symmetrical gardens (e.g. French gardens) vs. asymmetrical balance (e.g. English country gardens). Symmetrical gardens are more formal and geometric, while asymmetrical gardens are more casual and reflect a natural landscape.
Contrast - the degree of difference in design elements. Difference can be achieved by utilizing different lines (curved and straight), textures (fine and coarse), colors (opposite sides of the color wheel), and shapes (round and pyramidal).
Emphasis - creates focal points in the garden. This adds interest to the design by adding garden accessories, views, specimen tree or shrub, water feature, or lighting for example. They eye is drawn towards a focal point and encourages the visitor to travel through the garden to see each unique feature.
Harmony - a pleasing relationship between all elements of the design. The garden has a strong theme or similar design elements.
Movement - the viewer's eye moves naturally across the landscape. This is achieved by repetition, alternation, and graduation of elements in the landscape.
Unity - the separate parts of the design elements successfully contribute to the overall design. Individual components of the landscape support the harmonious whole without demanding individual attention.
Variety - provides interest from difference. Too little variety is monotonous while too much variety is chaotic.
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